Multi-speed transmission

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a multiple speed transmission having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gearsets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. The plurality of planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The input member is continuously interconnected with at least one member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets, and the output member is continuously interconnected with another member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets. At least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are achieved by the selective engagement of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A multiple speed transmission, comprising:
 an input member; 
 an output member; 
 first, second, third and fourth planetary gearsets each having first, second and third members; 
 a plurality of interconnecting members each connected between at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets and at least another of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets; 
 a first torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the second planetary gearset with a stationary member; 
 a second torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the fourth planetary gearset with the third member of the first planetary gearset and the second member of the third planetary gearset; 
 a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the third planetary gearset with the first member of the fourth planetary gearset; 
 a fourth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the third planetary gearset with the second member of the fourth planetary gearset; and 
 a fifth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the first planetary gearset and the first member of the second planetary gearset with the second member of the second planetary gearset and the first member of the third planetary gearset; 
 wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member. 
 
     
     
       2. The multiple speed transmission of  claim 1 , wherein one member of the fourth planetary gearset is continuously interconnected with the input member and a different member of the fourth planetary gearset is continuously interconnected with the output member. 
     
     
       3. The multiple speed transmission of  claim 2 , wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with the first member of the fourth planetary gearset and the output member is continuously interconnected with the second member of the fourth planetary gearset. 
     
     
       4. The multiple speed transmission of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the second member of the first planetary gearset with the stationary member. 
     
     
       5. The multiple speed transmission of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the first planetary gearset with the second member of the third planetary gearset. 
     
     
       6. The multiple speed transmission of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the first planetary gearset to the first member of the second planetary gearset. 
     
     
       7. The multiple speed transmission of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a fourth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the second member of the second planetary gearset with the first member of the third planetary gearset. 
     
     
       8. The multiple speed transmission of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a fifth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the second planetary gearset with the third member of the fourth planetary gearset. 
     
     
       9. The multiple speed transmission of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a sixth interconnecting member continuously connected to the third member of the third planetary gearset. 
     
     
       10. The multiple speed transmission of  claim 1 , wherein the first torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the third planetary gearset with the stationary member. 
     
     
       11. A multiple speed transmission, comprising:
 an input member; 
 an output member; 
 first, second, third and fourth planetary gearsets each having a sun gear, a ring gear, and a carrier member; 
 a plurality of interconnecting members each connected between at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets and at least another of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets; 
 a first torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the second planetary gearset and the sun gear of the third planetary gearset with a stationary member; 
 a second torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the fourth planetary gearset with the ring gear of the first planetary gearset and the carrier member of the third planetary gearset; 
 a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the third planetary gearset with the sun gear of the fourth planetary gearset; 
 a fourth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the third planetary gearset with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gearset; and 
 a fifth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the first planetary gearset and the sun gear of the second planetary gearset with the carrier member of the second planetary gearset and the sun gear of the third planetary gearset; 
 wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member. 
 
     
     
       12. The multiple speed transmission of  claim 11 , wherein one member of the fourth planetary gearset is continuously interconnected with the input member and a different member of the fourth planetary gearset is continuously interconnected with the output member. 
     
     
       13. The multiple speed transmission of  claim 12 , wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with the sun gear of the fourth planetary gearset and the output member is continuously interconnected with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gearset. 
     
     
       14. The multiple speed transmission of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the carrier member of the first planetary gearset with the stationary member. 
     
     
       15. The multiple speed transmission of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the first planetary gearset with the carrier member of the third planetary gearset. 
     
     
       16. The multiple speed transmission of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the sun gear of the first planetary gearset to the sun gear of the second planetary gearset. 
     
     
       17. The multiple speed transmission of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a fourth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the carrier member of the second planetary gearset with the sun gear of the third planetary gearset. 
     
     
       18. The multiple speed transmission of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a fifth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the second planetary gearset with the ring gear of the fourth planetary gearset. 
     
     
       19. The multiple speed transmission of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a sixth interconnecting member continuously connected to the ring gear of the third planetary gearset. 
     
     
       20. A multiple speed transmission, comprising:
 an input member; 
 an output member; 
 first, second, third and fourth planetary gearsets each having a sun gear, a ring gear, and a carrier member; 
 a plurality of interconnecting members each connected between at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets and at least another of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets; 
 a first torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the second planetary gearset and the sun gear of the third planetary gearset with a stationary member; 
 a second torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the fourth planetary gearset with the ring gear of the first planetary gearset and the carrier member of the third planetary gearset; 
 a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the third planetary gearset with the sun gear of the fourth planetary gearset; 
 a fourth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the third planetary gearset with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gearset; and 
 a fifth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the first planetary gearset and the sun gear of the second planetary gearset with the carrier member of the second planetary gearset and the sun gear of the third planetary gearset; 
 a first interconnecting member of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnecting the carrier member of the first planetary gearset with the stationary member; 
 a second interconnecting member of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the first planetary gearset with the carrier member of the third planetary gearset; 
 a third interconnecting member of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnecting the sun gear of the first planetary gearset to the sun gear of the second planetary gearset; 
 a fourth interconnecting member of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnecting the carrier member of the second planetary gearset with the sun gear of the third planetary gearset; 
 a fifth interconnecting member of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the second planetary gearset with the ring gear of the fourth planetary gearset; 
 a sixth interconnecting member of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously connected to the ring gear of the third planetary gearset; 
 wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.